Big Mac returns; Phils down Mets

Published Saturday, September 09, 2000

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The mere sight of Mark McGwire in the lineup wasn't quite enough to inspire the St. Louis Cardinals.

McGwire came off the disabled list and struck out in his only at-bat since July 6, then watched the Milwaukee Brewers rally for four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat St. Louis 6-5 Friday night.

McGwire was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 13, retroactive to July 7, because of patella tendinitis in his right knee.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa wanted McGwire to face live pitching, so he batted McGwire second and listed him as the second baseman. McGwire, who has hit 30 home runs in 70 games this season, took a called third strike from Jeff D'Amico.

Then, as planned, McGwire was pulled and replaced by Craig Paquette. In the ninth, Paquette's two-out error on a grounder by Ron Belliard allowed the winning run to score.

Braves 3, Expos 2

ATLANTA -- Andy Ashby (9-12) won for the first time since Aug. 8 against Cincinnati, allowing two runs and eight hits in seven innings. John Rocker pitched the ninth for his 20th save.

Phillies 2, Mets 0

NEW YORK -- Scott Rolen hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning as Philadelphia snapped an eight-game skid and sent New York deeper into their September funk.

New York has lost six of seven to open the month, dredging up memories of late-season folds the past two seasons, and has fallen behind Atlanta in the NL East race. The Mets still lead Arizona by 41/2 games in the wild card race.

Pirates 7, Reds 3 (First game)

PITTSBURGH-- Jason Kendall doubled in two runs and Alex Hernandez hit his first major league homer in a doubleheader opener as Pittsburgh won its seventh straight.

Diamondbacks 2, Marlins 1

MIAMI -- Slumping Matt Williams had two hits, including his seventh home run of the season, and pinch-hitter Matt Mieske delivered a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to give Arizona a win over Florida.

Cubs 13, Houston 10

CHICAGO-- Sammy Sosa hit his major league-leading 47th home run but Houston took an 11-run lead and hung on to beat Chicago as Julio Lugo had a career-high five hits.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 4, Red Sox 0

BOSTON -- Roger Clemens kept winning, David Justice and Derek Jeter kept hitting and New York padded their comfortable lead in the AL East.

Clemens, unbeaten for three months, pitched five-hit ball for eight innings to lead the Yankees.

Boston pitcher Bryce Florie was knocked out of the game in the ninth inning by a liner off the bat of Ryan Thompson. The ball hit Florie in the face, and was taken off the field on a cart with blood on his face.

Blue Jays 3, Tigers 0

TORONTO -- Esteban Loaiza pitched a five-hitter for his second career shutout, leading Toronto over Detroit.

Brad Fullmer and Jose Cruz Jr. each hit their 29th homers for the Blue Jays, who won for just the third time in the last eight games.

White Sox 5, Indians 4

CLEVELAND -- Paul Konerko made a diving stop at first with the bases loaded in the seventh inning and hit a two-run homer as Chicago increased its AL Central lead to 81/2 games over second-place Cleveland.

Rangers 6, Royals 5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Rafael Palmeiro hit a two-run homer in the first off Blake Stein (6-4) and Rusty Greer hit a three-run homer in the second as Texas built a 5-0 lead, leading Texas Rangers over Kansas City